Denis Michael

Denis Michael, a German Jesuit, was born at Scharding, on the Inn, Sept. 27, 1729. He entered the order of the Jesuits in 1747, and was ordained priest in 1756. In 1759 he was appointed professor at the Collegium Theresianum at Vienna, and in 1773 librarian of the library of Garelli. After the suppression of the Collegium Theresianum in 1784, the emperor Joseph II appointed him second "custos" and aulic councillor. He died Sept. 29, 1800. Denis was in friendly relations with Klopstock and other prominent scholars of Protestant Germany, and was esteemed for his amiable character and for his efforts in behalf of German literature. He became especially known by his attempt to imitate the poetry of the ancient bards; but his poems were more admired for their noble sentiments than their poetical value. He also wrote several Bibliographical works, and a Latin elegy on the downfall of his order (Fatum Jesuitarum). A posthumous autobiography of Denis was published, together with other posthumous writings, by Retzer (Literarischer Nachlass, Vienna, 1801-1802). — Allgem. Real-Encyklop. 4:285.